Sergey Karjakin, married too soon?

At 19 years of age, Sergey Karjakin is now a husband. I'm not familiar with the culture trend in Ukraine, but at that early age (imagine Wesley So getting married in 3 1/2 years time!) and has a potential to become a future world champion, it may raise the eyebrows of some chess purist-engaged, married or bachelor alike. I just wish Sergei waited for a couple more years when the sky is the limit for him...anyway, things should not be heard from a 30 years old bachelor :)

The 19 years old Ukrainian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin married the 20 years old WGM Kateryna Dolzhikova on Friday, July 24th...

Sergey Karjakin and Kateryna Dolzhikova's relationship first started after the Dresden 2008 Chess Olympiad. "We knew each other for a long time, as we are both from Ukraine," commented Karjakin. "We became closer at the Dresden Olympiad disco. I invited Katya to dance and the next day we visited the Dresden gallery. A little after New Year's Eve we started thinking about the wedding." shared the Ukrainian GM...

The marriage of one of the youngest ever Grandmasters and Olympic Champion GM Karjakin and the silver medalist from the World Mind Sports games WGM Dolzhikova makes them one of the strongest chess couples.

Full story at Chessdom.com

Time to let go of basketball?

The Philippines most beloved sport, basketball, but do basketball loves us in return?

Photo from PBA.com.ph


Let's face fact. The honest fact. We're not a team nation, if not a divided one. Simply because many refuses to cooperate. Not only it is evident with the horde of unruly mob gathering outside the House of Representative to protest the State of the Nation Address of president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this afternoon, it also reflects on how our Team Pilipinas basketball team fare poorly in the recent 31st Jones Cup in Taiwan where the RP team, fielded by millionaire athletes from the PBA, where they only managed to score two wins against six loses. Two of those wins comes from lowly Taiwan team B and Kazakhstan who also finished at the bottom of the final standings. We are defeated by nations from Korea, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Taiwan A and Iran. Last night, we are "massacred" by the Iranian team, for good measure, by twenty five points. Iran lead as much as 37 points. We are outplayed, out hustled, and more importantly, we are outsmart. Being out muscled never hurts. There are law of nature that will stay no matter how hard we try to defy them. But being out smart, where we have complete control of its power and possibilities to make a difference, is something more embarrassing than being physically bullied.

“We had no solution to their height advantage, we just couldn’t match up with their size,” said national coach Yeng Guiao.

I have to respectfully disagree Mr. Guiao. We are totaly outsmarted by the Iranian team. Their total assists doubled that of the RP had produced. In other words, they played smart. They did not resort to bullying, at least this time to gain victories against us.

Another thing, you couldn't put players on a team that is jealous of one another's individual success that is plaguing the PBA in recent years. So how could you expect to see them perform beyond their usual capabilities as an athlete to represent the country?

The more I see our RP team in international scene, the more I love chess in our country.

GM Joey Antonio fund raising simul exhibition match, everyone is invited!

GMs Joey Antonio and Eugene Torre at fund raising tournament held last July 11 in Meralco

Just a re-post for everyone's attention...




For those of you who never once in your wildest dream of ever facing one of the Philippines top GM for decades, here's your chance to make that dream come true. GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio, currently rank no. 3 in the country and many time national champion, will hold a fund raising simultaneous exhibition match for the benefit of our RP Paralytic team which he coached, on August 1, that's Saturday, 9:00 am at MERALCO Lopez basement canteen, Ortigas, Pasig city. The entry fee is P500. For reservation and details, please visit Meralco chess club blog or inquire through email to Mr. Rolly Sol Cruz, president of Meralco chess at rjsolcruz@yahoo.com. This is going to be the second wave of fund raising event for the benefit of our RP paralytic team after the successful staging of mini tournament last July 11, also at Meralco.

GM Joey Antonio (as always) is more than ready to answer all your questions about him and of course, chess. Take advantage of it. We'll see you all there and don't forget to bring your camera for the after the match wild photo sessions.

It should be fun!

Go Laylo?

Good friends. GMs So and Laylo. They'll face tomorrow for the lead in zone 3.3.


Hep, hep. Wait...don't get the title wrong. I'm not rooting for Darwin Laylo nor for Wesley So here whatsoever or I'm being bias to any of our Filipino players. My thinking was this: I want to see an all out war between this two good buddies although I'm expecting a quiet draw (I hope I would be proven wrong). Looking at the standings, it maybe the wisest of decisions. That's part of their tragedy if they both decided for a truce. But if Darwin wants to become an instant celebrity, despite all the risk, he should go for it.

1. GM Laylo Darwin PHI 2494 4
2. GM So Wesley PHI 2646 3,5
3.GM Zhang Zhong SIN 2613 3
4. Bao Khoa VIE 2161 3
5. GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son VIE 2592 3
6. IM Bitoon Richard PHI 2495 3
7. IM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy VIE 2500 3
8. GM Dao Thien Hai VIE 2552 3
9. GM Paragua Mark PHI 2487 3
10. GM Bui Vinh VIE 2517 3
11. FM Batchuluun Tsegmed MGL 2384 3
12. IM Duong The Anh VIE 2440 3

Laylo is up against the hugely and crazy popular player in the name of Wesley So. Fact is, it's been quite a while since a fellow Pinoy has defeated GM Wesley So in a major tournament. So a victory against Wesley would definitely make Laylo a household name even if it will only last for a short period of time. The name Laylo will be the center of discussions in chess forums. His game would be analyzed and discussed, receiving exclamation remarks from some of his good moves to be admire by everyone. Wouldn't that be nice? It may not be an easy task though. The last time this two met was at the Battle of GMs in Dapitan where So, despite having secured the title with two rounds to spare, opted to go for the win against his good friend. Of course each Filipinos who are seeing action in the Zonal is capable of defeating Wesley but Darwin, still fresh from his triumph at National Open in Victory Mall last month and the way he is performing at Hanoi right now, (he's 4 out of 4 thus far) I think he has the tools and spirit of upsetting Wesley So, in my opinion. Go Laylo?

It's your choice Darwin.

Men

For pairings and results of every rounds, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23592.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

For standings, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23592.aspx?art=1&rd=2&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000


Women

For pairings and results of every rounds, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23591.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

For standings, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23591.aspx?art=1&rd=2&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000


And for replay/PGN of games, http://www.vietnamchess.com.vn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255&Itemid=264

(Note: you may need to activate/install java in your browser to view them)

Asian, Vietnam Zonal 3.3 official website

Quotes of the week

...because of GM Susan Polgar's invitation to Wesley to join the Spice Cup, U.S. embassy granted him, a 10-year Visa. The consular asked him: you've been to Russia? You beat them?" -Lenny So (mother of Wesley So)

"Well, ang pananaw ko sa status ng chess sa atin ay gumaganda...

First, With our present Official in the federation (especially,Cong Pichay)Mukhang marami na tayong International tournaments na pwedeng mahasa ang mga players natin and hindi na kailangan pumunta abroad para magcompete.

Second, Meron na tayong players na pwedeng magrepresent sa bansa like the Olympiad,Asian Team and many others.

Third,the most important development in chess is that We have bright future because of the emmergence of our World Champion contender none other than the Chairman." -GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio

For non Tagalog readers here's the English translation:

I personally believed that the status of chess in the Philippines is on the right track. For three reasons:

First, with our present officials in the federation (especially Cong. Prospero Pichay) I think we can now host international tournaments in the country where our young and aspiring players don't need to go abroad to compete and hone their skills.

Second, we have available players who can represent the country in international competetion like the Olympiad, Asian team championship among others.

Third, the most important development in chess is that we have bright future because of the emergence of our World Champion contender none other than the Chairman (Wesley So).

Asian Zonal 3.3 : Breaking down

Dear friends, be the first to know!
Here's the link for everyone's convenience.

Asian Zonals 3.3 daily results, pairings and standings are all available at chess-results.com. Replays/PGN of games is now available at the tournament official website!



Men

For pairings and results of every rounds, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23592.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

For standings, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23592.aspx?art=1&rd=2&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000


Women

For pairings and results of every rounds, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23591.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

For standings, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23591.aspx?art=1&rd=2&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000


And for replay/PGN of games, http://www.vietnamchess.com.vn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255&Itemid=264

(Note: you may need to activate/install java in your browser to view them)

Asian, Vietnam Zonal 3.3 official website

Enjoy everyone!

SPICE Cup 2009 update

Susan Polgar had just posted in her blog the latest update for the coming SPICE Cup 2009 in September. Below is the list of the confirmed players who will participate in the said event. SPICE Cup is aiming for a category 17-18 here. GM Wesley So is one of the earliest participants who confirmed his interest to join the event.

A Group - Category 16 - 2641.5 (6-player double RR)

GM Dmitry Andreikin 2659 - RUS (#6 junior under 20 in the world - Russian Junior Champion)
GM Wesley So 2646 - PHI (#7 junior under 20 in the world - #1 in the Philippines)
GM Yuriy Kuzubov 2635 - UKR (#8 junior under 20 in the world - #12 in Ukraine)
GM Varuzhan Akobian 2626 - USA (#6 in the U.S. - 2008 SPICE Cup Co-Champion - 2-time Olympiad Bronze Medalist)

B Group - Category 12 - 2529.4 (10-player RR):

GM Anton Kovalyov 2586 - ARG (Top junior from Argentina)
IM Papp, Gabor 2558 - HUN (2 GM norms - Texas Tech Student in 8/2009)
IM Davorin Kuljasevic 2547 - CRO (2 GM norms - Texas Tech Student in 8/2009)
GM Eugene Perelshteyn 2537 - USA (2007 SPICE Cup Champion)
GM Andre Diamant 2519 - Brazil (2008 Brazilian Champion)
IM Ben Finegold 2513 - USA (2 GM norms)
IM Ray Robson 2496 - USA (winner of the 2009-2010 Samford Fellowship)
IM Gergely Antal 2479 - HUN (2 GM norms - Texas Tech Student)

All ratings listed are FIDE ratings.

SPICE Cup Open and SPICE Cup Scholastic Open are once again two of the events which are a part of the SPICE Cup Chess Festival.

Just as last year, the SPICE Cup will be held on campus at Texas Tech University and is co-organized by Texas Tech University, SPICE and the Susan Polgar Foundation.

Vietnam zone 3.3 round 1: minor defeat for GM So, IM Nolte

I can't remember when was the last time the Philippine chess contingent are paired, in any tournament, against opponents way, way below their current rating points. Looking at the pairings before the start of round 1, the pairings seems almost a gift for the Pinoy. In round 1, all Filipinos had to face opponents -300 below their normal rating. Yey!

But unfortunately for GM So and IM Nolte, they failed to capitalized with this advantages when the rest of Filipino players managed to do so. Top seed GM Wesley So (2646), who is a surprised last minute inclusion for the Philippines, was held to a draw by 28th seed Vietnamese FM Ly Hong Nguyen (2302). While Nolte (2458) also had to agree with a draw against untitled Vietnamese, Nguyen Manh Truong (2160).

For complete results from round 1, please visit chess-results.com
For round 2 pairings, just visit the same site HERE
For standings, they come handy too, they are HERE

and for the semi-useless website...
-Vietnam Zone 3.3 official website

Unfortunately live games is not available at the moment (or never)...

Wesley So, joins the rest of Philippine contingent in Vietnam

After last night inquiry, here's Mrs Leny So, the very supportive mother of GM Wesley So, final message to all Wesley's fans.

Hi. Yes that is true. I learned it yesterday from Mr. Tee thru text message while I was attending CFO/Controller's Summit in Manila. I do not know the reasons (Wesley's sudden decision). You may ask Mr. Tee? I think Wesley is now ready, mentally, physically and emotionally. He must be happy with what he is doing.

He is supposed to go to Roxas City and Boracay tomorrow, July 23-24 for a free vacation courtesy of his school's owner, Honorable Mayor Arturo Orosca and on July 29-30 to Tacloban Leyte for a chess simul thru Sir Roca.

Our apology to them for the last minute change in Wes' sched.

ChessHeroes wish GM Wesley So and the rest of our Filipino players, namely GM Eugene Torre, GM Darwin Laylo, GM Mark Paragua, IM Richard Bitoon, IM Rolando Nolte as well our female players, WFM Chardine Camacho, WFM Sherily and Shercila Cua, and Catherine Perena all the best of luck!

-Asian Zonal 3.3 official website

Untitled

Marge: Homer, is this how you pictured married life? (pretend it's chess bloggers life)
Homer: Yeah, pretty much, except we drove around in a van solving mysteries.


Last night at around 7:30 pm while having my dinner (left over meal from lunch) of ginisang ampalaya and fried tilapia, I've received quite a number of text messages and email alerts from our friends that I should visit Wesley's page at chessgames.com "immediately" because Wesley So just made a "last minute decisions" and the kid is set to leave for Vietnam tomorrow, that is today, to compete in the zonal. The messages were all clear but not demanding: to verify the news, once and for all. Taking my time, I finished my dinner, making sure that my intestine will digest them quite smoothly, washes the dishes, careful not to break any of them. This whole process took me about half an hour after I received the "alert" then I log on to my best friend Acer, sent Mrs Lenny So and Mr Tee a confirmation email and finally, I arrived at Barangay Wesley So at chessgames. And here's what greeted me. Yup the people there are already out in the streets. There was some kind of festivities going on there. Some are singing, praying, preaching, yelling, anything goes, in unabashed display of one's extreme enthusiasm and fanaticism. Before I knew what was happening, there was another email alert. Bulgarian GM Dejan Bojkov and yours truly are now friends at Facebook! Check out ChessHeroes interview with Bojkov from our previous post HERE.

But anyway, everyone is happy and that's the important thing.

This is what online community is all about. Friendship. Spiced up with suspense, love, fear, mild and short lived altercation etc. The noise, the confusion and everything, heck, this what makes the stress of chess blogging a bit more easier to bear. And I'm loving every moment of it!

Joel Benjamin decry FM title, so what exactly is USCF Senior Master then?

Here's USCF blogger GM Joel Benjamin recent cheap shot at FIDE Master title:

I have to say, I have never heard a developing player define FIDE Master as a career goal. Master yes, grandmaster and international master of course, but an ill-respected title invented by FIDE to squeeze more money from title applications? Well, to each his own.

From GM Joel on How to Make an FM

Take a look at this. Recently, USCF Senior chess master and stepson of former US Open co-champ, IM Enrico Sevillano, John Daniel Bryant was here in Manila to conduct a simultaneous exhibition match (scroll down the page). I have to admit that I rarely heard the title "USCF Senior chess master". What's behind the title? Is it equivalent to Candidate Master? A National Master? a FIDE Master? With rating of 2449, John Daniel could easily earn the FIDE Master, if not International Master title, the latter, it depends of course. But he belongs to none of those. Surely then, it is not FIDE sanction title, right? He is a Senior Master-in the United States. Is senior master the USCF version of WWE Intercontinental champion, a title belt just below the more prestigious World Heavyweight Champion? Curious on what exactly the title is, I inquire the web, naturally. When I google USCF Senior chess master , believe it or not, this chess blog, ChessHeroes came up on top of the search list as if I can provide answers to my own inquiry. I was thinking, are there discrepancies between FIDE Master title and the USCF Senior chess master, an "ill-respected title" invented by both chess organizations?

Just asking.

Remembering Apollo11: Lunar Landing July 20, 1969

Just reminding everyone that on this day (Pacific time) exactly 40 years ago, Neil Armstrong became the first man to ever set foot on the moon. This video always give me chills down through my spine.

Wesley So out of Asian Zonals

Wesley So, out of Zonal, so is the World Cup hope this year

It is finally confirmed. Just as we thought that Wesley has change his mind. GM Wesley So will not be participating in the upcoming Asian Zonals 3.3 Chess Championships to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from July 22 to 30. The news that Wesley will skip the Zonal first sparked in Wesley's page at chessgames.com a couple of weeks ago but recent reports circulating on various online newspapers, chess sites and forums suggest that Wesley is actually Vietnam bound. In fact, in a recent interview by Chessdom to Wesley, he did not mentioned about his participation at the Zonal and that his next tournament will be the SPICE Cup, in Texas this coming September. Like other chess afficionados who are following the progress of Wesley So, I too was extremely baffled by the news. To finally settle the issue, we decided to send an email to Wesely's mother, Mrs Lenny So, and she has this confirmation to ChessHeroes:

"The news surprised us...Wesley is not joining (the Asian Zonal). After he arrived from China last July 8, he decided not to join. We have informed the Director of NCFP."

And now the reasons why Wesley skipped the Zonal...

"I do not know the reasons, we just respect whatever decisions he made. He might be burned out of training himself alone or just not in the mood. There must have someone to guide him to a higher level. If none, he can always go back to his studies."

So there it is folks. Wesley is out of Asian Zonal. SPICE Cup 2009, September 19-29 Texas Tech Univeristy USA is next for Wesley So. The Zonals 3.3 will also serves as qualifying tournament for the World Cup of Chess later this year in Russia where other Filipino, GM Rogelio Antonio booked a slot to World Cup after finishing tie for second in Asian Individual championship last May in Subic.

I would like to thank Mrs Lenny So for her time in answering our questions and wish her and her son all the best in the world.

Senior Chess Master John Daniel Bryant sweeps simul chess

Lopez building in Meralco at night, Ortigas, Pasig city.


Storm, heavy rains, flooding, heavy traffic, brown-out (!), fear of AH1N1, you name it, but all these did not stop the staging of the simul exhibition match of USCF Senior chess master and stepson of former US Open co-champ, IM Enrico Sevillano at Meralco last Friday evening in Ortigas, Pasig City. The number of participants were far less than expected. Only six were able to join, again this maybe accounted for bad weather.

USCF SENIOR CHESS MASTER SWEEPS SIMUL CHESS

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

UNITED STATES CHESS FEDERATION (USCF) Senior Chess Master John Daniel Bryant (2449) sweeps all his matches in the rare six board simultaneous exhibition on Friday at the Meralco Head Office in Ortigas.

The 17 year old Bakersfield, California resident Bryant, step son of Cebuano IM Enrico “Ikong” Sevillano defeated four players from RP Paralympics chess team (Rudy C, Rudy S, Melchor and Abe) and two players from Meralco Chess Club (Jonas & Rolly) in the one-day event hosted by Meralco Chess Club headed by its president Rolly Sol Cruz in close cooperation with Filipino Missionary Pastor John Michael “Jojo” Culaniban, founding pastor of Heritage Christian Church in Bakersfield, California.